Training camps kick into full gear this week as teams begin their first organized practices of the 2011 season. Sporting News correspondents are on the scene Tuesday, and the following reports are from NFC franchises.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

It didn't take Rob Ryan long to get embroiled in his first controversy as the Cowboys defensive coordinator. In answering a seemingly harmless question about the Cowboys' less-heralded free agent acquisitions on defense, Ryan threw a shot across the bow of the Philadelphia Eagles and the "dream team" they have assembled in free agency. "I've got three bullies over there waiting for Thursday," Ryan said of his defensive line additions. "These are proven players, and that's what we need. I don't know if we win the all-hype team, I think that might have gone to somebody else, but we're going to beat their ass when we play them.” … The Cowboys were off Tuesday, but that didn't stop them from making some minor moves. They re-signed defensive lineman Jimmy Saddler-McQueen, who was claimed off waivers from the Rams. He was at camp with the Cowboys last season, was put on the practice squad and even made it to the active roster late for one game. The Cowboys also waived receiver Jeff Moturi and defensive tackle Lawon Scott. — Clarence Hill

Philadelphia Eagles

The team shored up another glaring area of need, signing free-agent RB Ronnie Brown to a one-year deal, yet another acquisition with Pro Bowl experience in coach Andy Reid’s strongest offseason push for the Super Bowl. He became the team's fifth acquisition with Pro Bowl experience since the league year began. Brown, a tough runner with excellent hands in the backfield and excellent in blitz pick-up, is a perfect fit in Reid’s West Coast offense that makes use of versatile weapons. Brown, who shared snaps with Ricky Williams in Miami, will likely play third fiddle to starter LeSean McCoy and the passing game, but the team needed a quality veteran ball carrier and another option in short yardage and the goal line. Brown, who ranks third on Miami’s career rushing list, can also carry the load if McCoy were to miss extensive time. Injuries have hampered his career but the reduced workload should limit the wear and tear … The team also signed veteran OT Ryan Harris and finally came to an agreement with OG Danny Watkins, its first-round pick. Harris, who started 34 of 46 games in four years with Denver, is an insurance policy at right tackle if Winston Justice continues to miss time and if the team sours on backups King Dunlap and Austin Howard. Justice, rehabbing from offseason knee surgery, hasn’t yet practiced at camp. Dunlap didn’t look well conditioned from the start and lost his spot on the first team to Howard, a promising prospect who went undrafted in 2010. Watkins is expected to step in right away to shore up the RG carousel that held back the offensive line for the past two years. If new OL coach Howard Mudd can’t get Watkins ready in time for the opener, Mudd may be forced to go with fourth-year guard/center Mike McGlynn, rookie fifth-round pick Julian Vandevelde or scrap-heap signing Evan Mathis. ... Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel isn’t convinced that his future is in Philadelphia. Even though coordinator Juan Castillo raved about the potential of his nickel-heavy defense with Samuel, Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie each on the field at the same time for most of the game, Samuel said he wasn’t sure the team really wanted him and said he’s “ready to move on” if he’s dealt before the opener. The super nickel defense sounded nice in theory but doesn’t seem realistic. Asomugha is the only one of the three that has the body type to play the slot position but it doesn’t make sense to take the NFL’s best cover corner away from the outside. — Geoff Mosher

New York Giants

The team fulfilled its top free-agent priority by re-signing RB Ahmad Bradshaw, who was its leading rusher last season. In his first year as a starter, Bradshaw rushed for 1,235 yards but also fumbled seven times, losing six. The Giants value Bradshaw's darting ability and like using him in combination with bruising Brandon Jacobs, a big back with a very different style. Bradshaw has had a history of foot problems, though, and puts great strain on the outside of his feet with his running style. That's why the Giants kept their offer in the moderate range and secured Bradshaw with a four-year, $18 million contract, including $9 million guaranteed. With Bradshaw back and Jacobs still around after having his contract restructured, the plan is to use D.J. Ware as a third-down back in some situations. ... The signing of DT Gabe Watson addressed the need for an experienced interior defensive linemen. Chris Canty starts at one tackle spot and the job of replacing Barry Cofield— who signed with the Redskins — belongs to second-year Linval Joseph and rookie Marvin Austin. Watson, after five years with the Cardinals, provides veteran depth. If he's in shape, he should get action in the rotation. ... The company line is P Steve Weatherford was signed to create more competition. But in fact Weatherford was signed to take Matt Dodge's job. Dodge, a seventh-round draft pick in 2010, struggled through an inconsistent rookie year, including a few glaring lowlights. He has a powerful leg but is raw. Weatherford spent the past two seasons with the Jets and does a good job of dropping the ball inside the 20. It is Weatherford's job to lose. — Paul Schwartz

Washington Redskins

CB Phillip Buchanon, who re-signed Monday night, was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the season. Coach Mike Shanahan said the team was long aware of the suspension but would not disclose the reason for the suspension. The NFL declined comment. Washington could be in trouble the first four games with regard to its corner depth. DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson will start, but third-year player Kevin Barnes would be the No. 3 corner. Barnes remains unproven, and the Redskins clearly don't have a lot of confidence in him to be one of their top corners. ... The Redskins re-signed QB Rex Grossman, who will compete with John Beck for the starting job, to a one-year deal. Grossman is the most experienced quarterback on the roster and is entering his third season in this system. He has not been as vocal as Beck about his desire to win the starting job. Grossman started three games last season and had moments where he moved the offense well. However, there is doubt elsewhere in the NFL that he has the athleticism to succeed in this system. — John Keim

NFC North

Chicago Bears

A player whose stock has soared immensely since camp opened is tight end Kellen Davis. The trade of Greg Olsen meant Davis would get some reps in practice that he hadn't taken before, but with newly acquired Matt Spaeth kept out until Aug. 4 due to CBA rules, Davis has taken all first-team plays and has shown an ability to get open downfield despite being projected more as a blocking tight end at 6-foot-7, 270 pounds. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz always wants larger tight ends to help in pass blocking or the run game, which was the reason for dealing Olsen and signing Spaeth. Davis figures into plans at the tight end spot more so than in the H-back position. Davis hadn't really shown a lot as a blocker in the past, although his size made it seem likely he could contribute there. But his ability to set the edge in the run game in camp has also been more apparent. The signing Tuesday of tight end Desmond Clark may have come as a surprise to some, but there was a need after Olsen was traded and with Spaeth unable to practice. Also the 34-year-old, 13-year veteran played the H-back position last year, although he didn't play it much in games. He got into only five contests and caught just one pass, career lows. But the Bears currently are using second-year fullback Eddie Williams with starters at H-back and he has neither the size nor experience to handle the position on a regular basis. ... Early practices saw Ohio State undrafted rookie Dane Sanzenbacher impressing coaches with his sure-handed style and ability to get open over the middle. He had easily outperformed former CFL player Andy Fantuz in those practices, but his chances to make the team or contribute seem dependent on injuries after the acquisition of Roy Williams and Sam Hurd swelled the wide receiver corps. Sanzenbacher plays the same slot receiver spot that Earl Bennett holds and Bennett has been the team's most consistent receiver since the middle of 2010. — Gene Chamberlain

Detroit Lions

First-round draft pick Nick Fairley, who left Monday’s practice with a left foot injury, was in a boot Tuesday and head coach Jim Schwartz said more tests are going to be done. The Lions’ policy is to not talk specifically about injuries, but this can’t be good news considering Detroit’s first preseason game is 10 days away. Fairley is expected to play a key role in the rotation but since he’s not pressing for a starting position (Ndamukong Suh and Corey Williams have those nailed down), his absence won’t be crippling. … Right tackle Gosder Cherilus, who is coming off microfracture knee surgery, did not practice for the second straight day and there is some concern whether he’ll be able to clear the final rehab hurdle in time for the regular season. The Lions might have to turn to second-year player Jason Fox, but he’s looked better on the left side than the right side. — Tom Kowalski

Green Bay Packers

Rookie WR Randall Cobb has had a couple of good practices to start out camp and is being given every opportunity to win the kickoff return job. Cobb is running with the No. 1s on the kickoff return unit and showed why he was such a dynamic player at Kentucky. There is absolutely no pressure on Cobb to contribute as a receiver because Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Jordy Nelson are ahead of him. Cobb could be used to exploit certain match-ups, especially against teams who can't field a decent nickel or dime back. Cobb has the ability to take some Wildcat snaps, but that would have to be way down the road this season because of a lost off-season. . . OL Marshall Newhouse has been taking most of his snaps at LT so that first-round pick Derek Sherrod can learn LG. Sherrod has done surprisingly well. He was drafted to play LT, but some people still think he'll be better at guard. He's in the mix to start at guard, it's just that the coaches want to see if Sherrod is worthy of being a starter somewhere. Last season was a learning year for Newhouse and he seems to have made some advances. . . Don't be surprised if TE Spencer Havner starts seeing some time at LB. Havner has been a two-way player, but most of his action has been at tight end. There are so many quality tight ends on the roster, Havner, an excellent special teams player, might have a better shot at making the team on defense. — Tom Silverstein

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings finally reached a breaking point with Bryant McKinnie’s laziness and released the veteran who has been their starting left tackle since 2002. An above-average talent who has underachieved most of his career, McKinnie was on the non-football injury list after reporting to camp grossly out of shape. Still, releasing McKinnie rather than work him back into shape is a risky move. However, Sunday’s signing of Colts free agent Charlie Johnson looks a whole lot better today and gives the Vikings a viable replacement. At 6-4, 305 pounds, Johnson isn’t nearly as big as McKinnie. But he has started 53 games over the past four years and gained extensive experience as Peyton Manning’s blind-side blocker at left tackle. ... With projected starting cornerback Cedric Griffin being held back from team drills as he recovers from a second torn ACL over the past two seasons, the Vikings are taking a closer look at third-year pro Asher Allen and second-year pro Chris Cook. The team is trying to see which one should get the nod at nickelback, assuming there is no setback with Griffin. Cook (6-2, 212) is the bigger, more instinctive corner. He should win the job. He was the star of training camp a year ago, but his rookie season was derailed early by minor knee injuries in both knees. He’s moving well and appears to have regained his confidence. — Mark Craig

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The team is being very careful with Arrelious Benn, the second-year wideout whose rookie season was cut short by a torn ACL. Benn has been working out just once a day so far and had been held out of each of the team’s three more intense workouts, including its first padded practice. Benn made a quick comeback from his knee injury, but the team is trying to make sure he doesn’t re-injure himself by coming back and doing too much too soon. Benn’s loss is a big one, but the team has plenty of capable wideouts behind him in Dezmon Briscoe, Sammie Stroughter and Preston Parker. ... This time last year, S Cody Grimm was just trying to make the team as a special teams performer. Now he’s the starting strong safety. Grimm is not an intimidating presence but he’s as smart a player as there is on the team. He’s seldom out of position and his technique in coverage and as a tackler are exquisite. He’s proof that brains is sometimes as good as brawn in this game. — Roy Cummings

Atlanta Falcons

CB Brent Grimes, who went to the Pro Bowl as an alternate last season, has not signed his first-round tender as a restricted free agent and is not at camp. Another team has until Aug. 20 to make an offer. If Grimes receives an offer, the Falcons can match it or receive a first-round pick for the former undrafted player. The Falcons traded their first-round pick for 2012 in the Julio Jones deal. Under G.M. Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons have a record of taking care of their players. If Grimes signs the tender, he probably will move to first in line on the team's list of potential contract extensions. The rest of the team's restricted free agents — QB John Parker Wilson, DT Vance Walker and WR-KR Eric Weems — have signed their tenders and are attending meetings, though they won't be able to practice until Thursday. ... With the loss of former RB Jerious Norwood, who signed with the Rams, Jason Snelling appears headed back to the Falcons. The team would like to retain the versatile Snelling, who can play fullback and running back and was the teams' third leading pass catcher last season. — D. Orlando Ledbetter

Carolina Panthers

With No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton and a pair of second-year players, the Panthers needed a veteran to help bring their young quarterbacks along. But did they need Derek Anderson? With Marc Bulger and Carolina fan favorite Jake Delhomme available, the Panthers instead opted for a guy who has not had a ton of experience or success. Anderson is 28, with an 18-25 record as a starter and a career passer rating of 68.8. He's had one good season in five years — 2007 in Cleveland under Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. The Panthers believe Anderson's familiarity with Chudzinki's offense will be beneficial in helping Newton and Jimmy Clausen pick up the system. Anderson said he gets it — he's in Charlotte to help speed Newton's development. But in the next breath, he talked about wanting to compete for the starting job, however unrealistic that might be. Anderson, who signed a one-year deal, might end being a solid mentor and accepting of his backup role. But this is the same player who was laughing on Arizona's sideline last year during a blowout loss to San Francisco, then blew up when asked about it at a press conference. — Joseph Person

New Orleans Saints

The Saints added two major reinforcements to their defensive line Tuesday, signing their first-round draft pick, DE Cameron Jordan, and veteran free-agent DT Aubrayo Franklin. The Saints are determined to become more disruptive in their front seven. They’ve also added free-agent DT Shaun Rogers and DE Turk McBride and drafted OLB Martez Wilson, among other newcomers. ... Jordan missed the first four days of training camp, not to mention the entire offseason during the lockout, but he’s an intelligent player and should be a quick study. That’s one of the things the Saints liked about the three-year college starter and the son of longtime NFL tight end Steve Jordan. They also like his size and versatility. They expect the 6-4, 287-pounder to compete with veteran Alex Brown for snaps at the left end position. They also believe he can slide inside to tackle in certain formations and line up as a 3-4 end. ... Franklin (6-1, 317) gives the Saints more of a big, stout run defender than they’ve had in recent years. He will help fill the void created by NT Remi Ayodele's departure. The ninth-year veteran has been a starter for the 49ers the past four years, primarily in the middle of a 3-4 system. He’ll be able to rotate with Sedrick Ellis and Rogers to keep all the big bodies inside fresh. ... The Saints also re-signed veteran TE David Thomas, an expected move but a key one nonetheless. Although Jimmy Graham is the sexier offensive weapon at the position, Thomas is a trusted and versatile player who can catch and block and line up at fullback. His presence is part of the reason why the Saints felt they could let Jeremy Shockey go this offseason. — Mike Triplett

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals like G Deuce Lutui and think he's a good player when he's in proper physical condition. They also needed help on the offensive line. That's why they're giving Lutui another chance to prove he can control his weight. Lutui, the starting right guard for the past five seasons, agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Bengals, but he flunked the physical because he weighed 381 pounds. The Cardinals quickly signed him, and almost as quickly, told him he needs to lose weight. Ideally, they would like Lutui to weigh around 340 pounds. The Cardinals like their guards to be able to pull and Lutui isn't as effective when he¹s overweight. ... The Cardinals made a huge splash in free agency and the trade market, but one of the real keys to this season is OLB O'Brien Schofield, a fourth-round choice last year. Schofield will be given every chance to win the job on the right side, and the team hopes he can provide a pass rush that has been sorely missing. ... The Cardinals continue to talk to the agent for WR Braylon Edwards. The hangup appears to be the length of a deal. The Cardinals know Edwards is a risk and want a short-term deal. Edwards would be able to stretch the field and make it more difficult for opponents to double-cover Larry Fitzgerald. — Kent Somers

San Francisco 49ers NT Aubrayo Franklin signed a one-year deal with the Saints, which means four defensive starters from the 2010 squad are now playing elsewhere: Franklin, OLB Manny Lawson (Bengals), ILB Takeo Spikes (Chargers) and CB Nate Clements (Bengals). Another 2010 starter, S Dashon Goldson, remains unsigned. With Franklin gone, Isaac Sopoaga will step into the starting nose tackle role with third-year player Ricky Jean-Francois backing him up. Undrafted rookies Ian Williams (Notre Dame) and Sealver Siliga (Utah) provide depth. Sopoaga is one of the strongest players on the team. He's started at left defensive end the last two seasons but is better suited for nose tackle. The question is whether he is instinctual enough to play the position. ... Lawson, meanwhile, agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Cincinnati. Lawson wasn't happy with his diminished role in 2010 and was upset that he never got the contract extension he was seeking before last season. Ahmad Brooks has stepped into Lawson's starting spot early in training camp. First-round pick Aldon Smith, who has gotten positive reviews from teammates early on, also could factor in at the position. — Matt Barrows

St. Louis Rams

The Eagles, Jets and others continue to grab the headlines about their free-agent moves, but the Rams have quietly been one of the league's most active teams. Two more free agents agreed to terms with St. Louis on Tuesday: former Packers LB Brady Poppinga and former Falcons RB Jerious Norwood. Both were one-year deals. Poppinga will compete with veteran Na'il Diggs for the starting job at strongside linebacker. Poppinga is a good run defender and solid special teams player. Norwood, a speed back who has been slowed by injuries in Atlanta, provides much-needed backup help behind Steven Jackson. Norwood can also return kickoffs. The team may still be searching for depth in the backfield. ... The Rams have added nine free agents from other teams, with Atlanta G Harvey Dahl and Philadelphia S Quintin Mikell the headliners. — Jim Thomas

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle's defensive line was the reason it started 4-2, and its depth — or lack thereof — was the reason it went 3-7 the rest of the way. By Week 8, Seattle was missing starters Red Bryant, Colin Cole and Brandon Mebane because of injury. And the run defense, which had been such a strength for the first month and a half of the season, pretty much collapsed. Seattle made deepening its pool of big bodies up front a priority in free agency, re-signing tackles Mebane and Junior Siavii, acquiring defensive tackle Alan Branch of Arizona and giving former first-round pick Ryan Sims and defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson the chance to play for a job. Seattle signed Wilkerson on Tuesday, and his addition signals that Seattle may not be as interested in Osi Umenyiora as we thought. There is a problem with manpower in Seattle, though. As newly signed free agents, none of those players can practice until the league year begins Aug. 4, which has left Seattle woefully short for practice. Seattle had to switch two rookie offensive linemen to defense Monday just to have enough numbers. Bryant is one of Seattle's most important returning players, and he has looked impressive returning from season-ending knee surgery. At 6-4, 323, he still runs extremely well, and he can seal the edge. Branch is 6-6 and a similar body type. He played with more consistency the past two years in Arizona, and Seattle signed him to a two-year deal in the belief it will keep him hungry. Branch will start at defensive tackle, but could also see time at defensive end behind Bryant. — Danny O'Neil